Ex-Chelsea star Ashley Cole: British players 'scared' of playing club football abroad

ASHLEY COLE believes British players could be frightened of playing abroad.

Ashley Cole believes British players are afraid of moving abroad to ply their trade[AP]

Cole, 33, has chosen to spend the tail end of his career in Italy with Serie A side Roma, after joining from Chelsea on a free transfer following his release from the club.

The left-back will be the only British player plying his trade in Serie A amid calls from some quarters for more English footballers to move to foreign leagues following England's dismal showing at the World Cup.

But Cole said: "Perhaps British players are a little afraid to move abroad. They are accustomed to British culture and for them it is convenient to stay at home.

"But as soon as I had this opportunity, I was glad to get out of London, to face a new language and a new culture."

Cole signed a two-year deal with Roma after spending eight years at Stamford Bridge.

He won four FA Cups with Chelsea and also helped them win the Premier League title in 2010 as well as the 2012 Champions League.

Cole was a league-cup winner with Chelsea in 2007 and won the Europa League under interim manager Rafael Benitez in 2013.

I decided to come here in order to continue to play in the Champions League with a great and ambitious club

Ashley Cole

When asked if he had a difficult time with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho after the coach's return to the club last season, Cole said: "I've always had a good relationship with Mourinho. Then as the years have gone by, I was probably not as useful to Chelsea and my agent told me of the chance to come to Roma.

"During my career I have had great coaches like Arsene Wenger, Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari and I am certain that at Roma it will be the same."

"I decided to come here in order to continue to play in the Champions League with a great and ambitious club.

"I am not afraid of the pressure to win because I spent 14 years in England always fighting for a starting spot and that's what I want to continue doing.

"I'm also ready to fight for a place in the team and to try to win."

"I know it's a special atmosphere at Roma, I immediately realised the passion of the people and their love of this club.

"But this is also the reason why I am here, to experience these emotions and enjoy the city and this adventure."